I. adjectiveEtymology: Latin climactericus, from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr critical point, literally, rung of a ladder, from klimak-, klimax ladderDate: 15821. constituting or relating to a climacteric
2.critical, crucialII. nounDate: circa 16301. a major turning point or critical stage
2.a.menopauseb. a period in the life of a male corresponding to female menopause and usually occurring with less well-defined physiological and psychological changes
3. the marked and sudden rise in the respiratory rate of fruit just prior to full ripening

climacteric — c.1600 (adj.), 1620s (n.), from L. climactericus, from Gk. klimakterikos of a critical period, from klimakter rung of a ladder (see CLIMAX (Cf. climax)). A critical stage in human life, a period supposed to be especially liable to change. By some … Etymology dictionary

climacteric — ► NOUN 1) Medicine the period of life when fertility is in decline; (in women) the menopause. 2) a critical period or event. ► ADJECTIVE 1) having extreme and far reaching implications or results; critical. 2) Medicine characteristic of or… … English terms dictionary

climacteric — [klī mak′tər ik, klī΄mak ter′ik] n. [L climactericus &LT; Gr klimaktērikos &LT; klimaktēr, round of a ladder &LT; klimax, ladder: see CLIMAX] 1. a period in the life of a person when an important physiological change occurs; specif., the period… … English World dictionary

Climacteric — Cli*mac ter*ic, n. 1. A period in human life in which some great change is supposed to take place in the constitution. The critical periods are thought by some to be the years produced by multiplying 7 into the odd numbers 3, 5, 7, and 9; to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

climacteric — 1. The period of endocrinal, somatic, and transitory psychologic changes occurring in the transition to menopause. 2. A critical period of life. SYN: climacterium. [G. klimakter, the rung of a ladder] * * * cli·mac·ter·ic klī mak t(ə )rik, .klī… … Medical dictionary

climacteric — 1. noun a) A period in human life in which some great change is supposed to take place in the constitution. The critical periods are thought by some to be the years produced by multiplying 7 into the odd numbers 3, 5, 7, and 9; to which others… … Wiktionary